cavalry achievement
We have received the particulars of a very handsome achievement of Hampton's cavalry in Charles City county, on Friday last. It appears that Gregg's and Torbett's divisions of Sheridan's Yankee cavalry (the latter commanded by Gen Custar) advanced on Thursdayevening from the Chickahominy to Samaria Church ¡ú , near Nance's Shop.--General Hampton, observing this movement, allowed them to get in his rear, and on Fridaymorning it was discovered that they had thrown up two lines of breastworks. Now was Hampton's opportunity, and he accordingly took advantage of it, with what success the sequel will show. By a well executed flank movement, he succeeded in closing in upon the enemy, and at 4 o'clock in the evening the attack was made. The Yankees (particularly Gregg's division) resisted stubbornly, but were soon driven from their breastworks, and the Confederate cavalry, in the language of our informant, "walked right over them." As the flying Yankees passed our lines on their retreat, they were shot down indiscriminately, and thirty dead bodies were counted in front of one regiment. Without mentioning the troops engaged on our side in this affair, we may state that Capt Ben Green's company, of the local battalion, occupied a position on the left, and behaved very gallantly.

The pursuit of the enemy was kept up until 9 o'clock P. M., to within two miles of Charles City Court-House. The retreat was precipitate, amounting, indeed, to a rout, the dead and wounded of the enemy being left in our hands. It is stated that our men mounted the breastworks and charged with impetuosity in the very face of the foe, killing and wounding a great number, and putting them to flight. In this affair 118 prisoners were captured, including Col Ilbey, of the 8th Pennsylvania regiment, one Lieutenant Colonel, and several other commissioned officers. One Lieutenant Colonel was killed, and another died of his wounds on Saturday. The prisoners arrived in Richmond yesterday, about 11 o'clock, by the York River train. They were a dirty, ragged looking set, their whole external appearance showing the effects of a disastrous campaign.

None of our men were taken prisoners, and our loss in killed and wounded is comparatively small. Among the killed are Privates Lueius Davis, Jr., Grey, John B. Wagner, Cohoon, and Lieut. Baker, of the 10th Virginia; Capts. Dettor and Newham, of the same regiment, wounded; and Private Whitlock, of the 3d Virginia, mortally wounded.

The location of this fight is on the Hopewell and Samaria Church road, in Charles City county. The Yankees had commenced building huts of brushwood, and apparently contemplated remaining some time in the neighborhood. Citizens state that there was one negro regiment among the enemy's forces. They did not approach near enough for our men to get a chance at them, and it in reported that they completely outstripped their companions in running.

The larger portion of Sheridan's command is supposed to have crossed the James river at Wyanoke, several miles below Harrison's landing. We have no definite accounts from Deep Bottom, though the officer who gave us the foregoing statement believes that the Yankees have left that point.

The account of the achievement of Hampton's cavalry is confirmed by the following official dispatch from Gen. Lee:

Headq'rs Army Northern Va., June25, 1864--9 P. M.Hon. Secretary of War:
Sir:
Our entire loss yesterday morning was ninety-seven killed and wounded and two hundred and nine missing.

Nothing of moment has occurred to-day on the lines in front of Bermuda Hundred and around Petersburg.

Gen. Hampton reports that the enemy's cavalry advanced yesterday to Nance's Shop and entrenched themselves there. He attacked them and drove them from their works pursuing them until 9 P. M., to within two miles of Charles City C. H.

They Left their dead and wounded on the field and along the route. Great credit is due to Gen. Hampton and his command for their handsome success.

Very respectfully,

R. E. Lee,
General.

The Daily Dispatch: June 27, 1864.

***********************************************************

The fight at Samaria Church.
[Correspondence of the Dispatch.]
June25, 1864.
Our cavalry, under command of our skillful and gallant General Wade Hampton, were engaged yesterday with Sheridan's marauders and house burners, on the Westover and Nance's Shop road, at or near Samaria Church. The enemy advanced in large force and attacked us, seemingly sanguine of riding "right through." The animated cracking of the carbines of our sharpshooters and that of the enemy made it apparent to all that it was no small skirmish we were about to engage in. The enemy had a large force dismounted, and made three lines of breastworks of rails and logs, which were quickly thrown up by them. Their lines were charged by our cavalry, and they were driven from one line of their fortifications back on another, and pursued so closely that they saw the only means of escape was by immediate flight.--The fields and road were strewn with their dead and wounded, and their retreat became a perfect rout. We felt sorry when we saw wounded horses lying on the field ¡ª for the horse is a noble animal ¡ª but the cries of Sheridan's thieves and house burners was music to our ears, and we saw with satisfaction that many of these plunderers had met their just dues for their many outrages.

More than two hundred prisoners and a portion of their wagon train, I am informed, were captured, and they were closely pursued till 9 o'clock that night, and within two miles of Charles City C H.

The brigade of Gen J R Chambliss bore a conspicuous part in this engagement, particularly the 9th and 10th Va cavalry, and received for their gallant services the thanks and congratulations of the general commanding for their conduct.

The following is a correct list of the casualties, kindly furnished me by our Adjutant in the 10th Virginia cavalry.

J S H.
Headqr's 10th Va cavalry,
June28th, 1864.
Report of the casualties in the late engagement (June24th) at Samaria Church:

Company A.--Killed: Trooper J L Davis, Jr Wounded: Troopers J Ketes, D N Morris, G N Crump.

Company B.--Killed: Trooper J L Wagner. Wounded: Troopers J H Henbee, P Koonts, J Clodfelter.

Company F.--Wounded: Capt J H Dettor, Trooper J R Herndon.

Company H.--Wounded: 1st Lt S K Newham, Corp J R Foltz. Killed: Trooper P Calhoun.

Company H.--Wounded: Trooper H Blackmare,

Company I.--Killed: Trooper J N Gary.

Recapitulation: Killed 4
Wounded 11

M J Dimmock,

Adj't 10th Virginia cavalry.

The Daily Dispatch: July 4, 1864.